Torchwood- Copyright BBC. This Fanfiction has been created for enjoyment and is not for profit.

Summary:

Set in a parallel reality to the cannon universe. The story begins two years after the Canary Wharf battle. Owen and Tosh are still alive as some events in this reality did not occur as they did in the canon universe.

Chapter One

Jack sat at his desk, tapping a pen against his ring finger in a rapid beat. His desk which would normally be covered with large degree of clutter including files, large stacks of papers, alien artifacts, filing, and staff requests was clear. Even half-finished reports he would normally avoid at all cost were absent. In fact his office had a general air of orderliness that was extremely unusual.

Taking a deep breath he leaned back and swung the chair around in a wide arch bringing his feet up and placing them on the table top and began tapping the pen again. He heard a ping, raising his eyebrows in anticipation he sat straight up putting his feet on the floor and pushing his mouse and highlighting his email in-box. Scanning the contents quickly his face dropped and sat back with a sigh and began to tap his pen on his finger again.

"Jack, that is really getting on my nerves." Tosh told him loudly from her work station.

Jack threw the pen down on his desk and walked across to observe what Tosh was doing. He stood behind her for several moments as she tapped her keyboard in what appeared to a seemingly endless series of calculations that crept down her computer screen.

Several moments passed she glanced at him briefly. "Look if you're that bored, there are always the archives, they're a bit of a mess," she told him.

"But I like the level of organized chaos they are currently in," he replied thinking there was no level of boredom that could induce him to start that job.

"Myfanwy?" she queried with a sigh.

"Cleaned, petted, fed, played with and exercised," he advised thinking of the two hours he had spent with her that morning. "How's your project going?" he asked.

Tosh looked up at him, "I'm working on a possible calculation that would create and suspend a small pocket of time around this level of the Hub, the problem is that I keep running in to a problem of alternate reality universe cross dimensional shifts so, so far…" she trailed off as she bit her lower lip in concentration and continued to work in silence.

"So far?" Jack repeated.

Tosh looked at him in frustration. "So far I keep getting interrupted," she said.

Scowling Jack stalked off back to his office and sat back down and thought back to the last time things were this quiet. He had known lulls in rift activity in the past but none to compare with the length and endurance of this one. It had literally been weeks since there had been more that the slightest tremor in the Rift. Since such low activity was a rarity the whole team had taken the opportunity to take time out. It had allowed Owen to attend a whole series of conferences and Gwen to take an extended holiday.

Tosh had begun a project she had been meaning to work on for some time. Jack had caught up on every report, requisition form and general paperwork. He had then given the entire three floors a general seeing to, long delayed by more important events. He had restocked the SUV, gone through the lower levels, and completed maintenance, leaving him now with nothing to do. The others might revel in this rare break but he hated it, he loved the constant activity, the racing about, late nights, working to the early hours of the morning, wrestling with aliens, leading the team, the adrenaline rush, he loved it all. In fact he was never happier than when the team was at its most frantic. He picked up the pen and started tapping his finger but this was driving him crazy.

"Jack!" Tosh shouted at him.

Huffing Jack stood up and took his coat. "I'm going for a walk," he told her as he left.

Tosh let out a sigh of relief as she saw Jack heading for the main door and she returned to the task. She had never realized how annoying Jack could be when he had nothing to do. True he had managed to keep himself busy; the tidy and clean state of the Hub was evidence of that. He had caught up with what appeared to be a year's worth of paperwork. The lower levels had been given a much needed sorting out. Jack had spent three weeks on a long list of maintenance and repairs. He had even taken time to repaint and generally spring clean his own quarters under his office. But with the continued lull in rift activity it meant he was now underfoot. 'What he needed was some project to keep him busy, like she had, something absorbing fascinating keep him from interrupting,' she told herself. 'Getting him out of the Hub was first step,' as she watched him disappear she returned to her calculations.

Leaning against the railing Jack looked out across the bay. It was a beautiful day, there was not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was warming his back. He watched the waters of the bay slowly lapping against the harbor walls as he felt a general air of discontent. The others might find a break like this welcome but he hated it. 'No,' he corrected himself he 'loathed it." He worked to live, lived to work.

He took a deep breath as he watched seagulls sitting on the water paddling about. A small inner voice invaded and he swallowed it down before it could intrude any further. The last thing he needed in his life right now was time to think. Thinking just led to introspection, and that led to something he didn't want to face now or in the near future. 'Yeah, the truth,' he heard a small inner voice say. What the hell did he want with the truth? That he had put his life on hold for over 100 years for someone who abandoned him then in a desolate space station. Who had used his ship to go trillions of years into the future in an effort to escape him and then told him was wrong. Then to make matters worse he had him advised there was nothing he could to help fix his wrongness . And what had caring gotten him, chained up in a boiler room being used as a punching bag for a year? After it was all over the Doctor hadn't even said thank you because he was so caught up the death of the Master, the only other living Time Lord. It had certainly put Jack in his place and his understanding of his importance in the Time Lord's life and it had hurt god damnit.

In a sense he was grateful for that year because it had made him re-valuate his life and put it into perspective. It had led to two wonderful years of selfish self-indulgence where all that mattered was work and sex. He had a place and it was right here, right now as head of Torchwood Three. If he had a wish it would be that he could remain here forever working and the rush of sexual gratification gave him. He knew he was being shallow but where had being nice gotten him? Alone, frustrated and angry. He didn't care anymore, all he cared about was himself and it felt good. No personal responsibilities and a smorgasbord of endless willing bodies. Let's be honest it wasn't difficult not with his body and looks he could have anyone when and where he wanted and did.

His stomach growled and he looked at his watch; 12.30 lunch time. He patted down his pockets to check he had his wallet. 'Enough of this time for lunch,' he told himself as he turned around to scan the Plass and made his way across to the small café the team frequented.

Half way across a familiar sound caught his attention and he looked up it sounded like Myfanwy. It rang out again, his heart quickened as he now searched the sky. He cursed, had he locked her hatch? He searched his mind as he scanned the sky. She was getting crafty and had figured how to pull the latch, if not locked down she would scarper to harass the local sheep population. The last time was several months ago, Tosh had failed to secure the latch and within minutes she had taken off. Finally they had tracked her down to a night roost. After a brief struggle she had been subdued but not before regurgitating the remains of her ill-gotten gains all over Owen. He craned his neck walking backwards straining his eyes to see if he could make out where the noise was coming form. His mind raced as he tried to calculate the impact of her escape. His heart quickened, he could spend the rest of the day tracking her down, bringing her in, and dealing with all and any queries that might arise from such an event. He tried to calculate how much Retcon he might need when he collided with something and was almost knocked off his feet.

"Brilliant!" he heard a man burst out as he turned to see a man holding tray against his chest and several disposable cups scattered around his feet.

"I am covered in coffee," he spat out as he began to undo his waist coat, which was soaked in the contents of the cups.

"Are you ok?" Jack asked immediately.

"Do I look ok? " the man replied glaring at him as he pulled his shirt away from his skin.

" Sorry, let me help," Jack offered bending down to pick up one of the cups.

"Leave me alone, I can handle this myself," the man said putting up a hand to stop him and picking up the cups by his feet.

"I don't know how I, I missed , missed seeing you," Jack stuttered trying to recover as the man now walked over to the nearest bin

"Err you didn't look where you were going," the man retorted sarcastically.

"Let me replace…" Jack tried to offer.

"I think you have done enough," the man said angrily as he emptied contents of the tray into the bin. "Thanks to you, my hard working staff is now going to have to wait even longer for a much hard earned lunch and you have ruined my suit," he told him.

"I can recommend a dry cleaner, I'll be happy to pay for…" he stopped as he saw the look of disgust on the man's face.

"What is it about? I don't need your help, you don't understand," he said glaring at him then spun on his heels to return to the café.

Jack closed his mouth as the man headed back the way he had come. He stood as he followed his progress. He watched as the man entered the café then left carrying another tray. The man looked across, saw Jack and turned to take a different direction. He had no idea how long he stood on the same spot. It was not often he was left a stuttering mess, lost for words. He smiled to himself at the man's angry response and bit his lip then hearing a distant squawk he looked around, scanned sky, and pulled out his cell phone.

twtwtwtwtwtw

"That was a quick walk," Tosh commented as she saw Jack enter through the main door

"I bought you lunch," he told her dumping a wrapped sandwich and can of soda on her desk as he passed on the way to his office.

"Thanks, I checked Myfanwy all locked up and safe," she said as he passed not sure what had promoted this show of consideration.

"I have just met the cutest guy in a suit," he told her as he sat down and pulled the keyboard forward and fired up his computer.

"Man in a suit?" she repeated.

"Yeah, spectacular," he added as he began load all the CCTV footage from the previous hour centered on the Plass.

'With the most astounding blue eyes I had ever seen,' he said to himself.

"I've found a project," he called out to Tosh who shook her head.

"Jack, what happened to Brian?" Tosh asked "I thought you and he were kind of serious?"

Jack let out a derisive snort as he began to search through the CTV footage on his screen.

"You were together for four months Jack. That's a record. I thought maybe you had finally found someone," Tosh added.

"Yeah that was the problem, he wanted more, I didn't," he replied as he scrolled through the images.

"Jack, what sort of more!" she burst out in exasperation.

"Tosh it's the early days I love, the chase, the conquest, first kiss first everything, after that it all gets pretty domestic. Eventually, you run out of things to say and do because you've done it all and the adventure is gone," he told her as he concentrated.

"So Brian?" Tosh asked sadly.

"Is over," Jack told her.

"But he was lovely, you could just see how much he cared for you," she admonished him.

"Yeah he was lovely alright until he suggested we needed to sit down and talk about our "relationship," he said using his hands to do air quotes, "If I had let it go any further we would have been picking out sofas and assembling flat packs while I moved into his flat, then it would be quiet Saturday nights in with a takeaway curry, or worse some home cooked Mexican food and the latest release DVD," he shuddered.

Tosh narrowed her eyes, "You know one day you are going to meet and fall for someone who will be impossible to ignore and steals your heart," She told him as she opened the soda he had left on her desk.

" You gotta have a heart to have it stolen," he burst out as he saw Tosh shake her head sadly.

Sitting back in triumph he found the encounter he had been looking for, the man was spectacular in a suit. The waistcoat covered a deep plum coloured shirt. He wiped his mouth as he viewed the man from behind as he bent over. Here was the answer to his boredom, the prefect distraction a meaningless tryst until the Rift activity picked up. He lent back in his chair. 'Let operation cute suit begin,' he said to himself gleefully.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

Looking at his watch Jack sat watching several CCTV feeds. He had sat here for hours, days in fact and he had not even caught a glimpse of the man. It was quite possible he admitted to himself that he was a visitor but he had a Welsh accent and said he had been buying lunch for his staff. This meant he worked somewhere in the area, deep in thought he sat back in thought when he saw him. Grapping his coat and using the invisible lift he raced across to the entrance of the café, and waited just outside while he caught his breath. He stood back a little as he watched the man pull out a list and make his way along the counter choosing sandwiches, cakes and placing them in paper bags. Arriving at the counter he ordered two coffees and a milk shake. The staff placed them all in a cardboard tray and he paid. As turned, he saw Jack. Jack smiled to himself as he realized the man had seen him and had started to stride away in the opposite direction.

"Look, I want to apologize for what happened the other day," he said as he caught up with the man and stepped in front of him causing him to stop. "I should have been looking where I was going, at least let me repay you for the lost lunch and the cleaning bill for your …" he halted as he saw the look of distain on the man's face.

"Let me introduce myself," he said holding out his hand as he flashed a wide smile, "I'm Ca…..."

" Captain Jack Harkness, head of Torchwood Three, " the man interrupted scornfully as he looked directly at Jack.

Jack gaped at him. "How do you know who… " he spluttered.

"I know you by name and reputation and I want nothing to do with you, now excuse me," he said as he pushed passed him and left heading back across the Plass.

For a second time Jack stood as he watched the man's retreating back. How did this man know him? What had he said, 'I know you by name and reputation, you are the head of Torchwood Three.' Had they met before? Was he a past one night stand? He searched his mind, there had been so many, it could be possible. He was sure he would have recalled him because he was simply stunning. True he was outside his normal type he had to admit. If he had a type it was tall leggy and or busty blonds. However if he was in a mood, he wasn't too picky anyone half way decent was fine by him. And how did the man know he was head of Torchwood Three? It was not like he went in for pillow talk; he was a local who knew who he was and more importantly what he did. Deeply in thought he made his way back to the Hub.

twtwttwtwtwtw

Jack braced himself, as the man left the Café with his normal order the following Tuesday as he saw the man stiffen as he caught a glimpse of him.

Taking a deep breath he approached the man. "We seem to have gotten off to a bad start," he said "I just want to apologize for what happened."

The man stopped looked at him and rolled his eyes.

"I'm at a disadvantage you know my name and yours is?" he asked smiling as he held out his hand and withdrew it a few moments later as the man glared at him. "I walked right into you, wasn't looking where I was going , I mean I knocked you for six, I know I was knocked for six, you have lunch I was thinking that next time you're here I could replace the lunch you lost, and I like the suit by the way. I mean I am happy to offer to pay for cleaning bill," Jack stumbled on as he tried to make some head way. "Have we met before?" Jack said finally as the man continued to glare at him.

"Excuse me," the man said taking a deep breath stepped around him and took off in his usual direction.

'This was becoming far too familiar,' Jack thought to himself as he watched the man's retreating back, this was third time in a row he had been left a stuttering mess. What was going on here?

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

Jack pulled at his lip, this was hopeless. He looked at his watch. He had spent days going through hours of CCTV footage and there was not even a glimpse of the man. He was a complete mystery, he clearly worked in the area; he had staff which meant he was a manager of some kind. 'Did that mean he worked in an office near the Plass? He had bought three lunches which meant he worked within walking distance but where?' He stood up and stretched, and rubbed his eyes. It was early, he looked across at the coffee flask. Coffee, he needed coffee, good coffee he decided as he grabbed his coat and he made his way to the small boutique coffee shop that had recently opened. Deep in thought it was not until he was almost at the counter he realized he recognize the back of the man, it was his project. Easing himself forward he slipped in beside him.

"Let me pay for that?" he offered getting out his wallet. "I'll have an espresso," he continued speaking to the young lady who instinctually preened herself as he smiled at her.

The man spun around and his face fell and let out a loud sigh as he took his order annoyance written on every line of his face, as he turned to face Jack directly.

"I realize this is a public place, Captain Harkness but what you are doing constitutes harassment. I am aware you are someone who takes the word no as a challenge. I am not a challenge. I find you arrogant, and pushy and," he stressed forcefully, " you appear to be completely unconscious of my dislike of you. So I will make this as clear as I can so even you couldn't possibly misunderstand, do not speak or approach me again," he stated.

"Your order," the girl said as Jack tried to form a response, taking the cup he turned to see the man was gone. 'God damnit,' he almost burst out, it was clear he would have to change his tactics.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

Picking up her handbag Tosh walked in to the armory where Jack had laid out the Hub weaponry and was in the process of checking each weapon.

"Remember, I am going out for lunch today, I should be back in about an hour and a half," she reminded him

"Going anywhere special?" he asked as he checked the barrel of the gun he was holding.

"No, just meeting an old friend, he's just moved back here and we've been meaning to catch up. He just opened a book shop in the new mall he's been so busy it's the first time he's been able to get away," she told him as he looked at his watch and put the gun down.

"Well enjoy. I'm off to start phase two, of operation cute suit," he told her as he picked up his coat. "By my calculations, in exactly 15 minutes he crosses the Plass and buys a large lunch, and this time I am going to observe him discreetly then follow and see where he works, " he said smiling.

"CCTV not working?" she asked.

"Oh this is much more fun, and it's the personal touch that counts," Jack added thinking of the delicious look of anger he could provoke on his project by his very presence and wondered what he might look like as he came.

"Jack you are very naughty," she said as he slapped him.

"You forgot charming," he added as they left together.

Jack leaned back into the railing, scanning the crowd for the hundredth time, as he looked at his watch. 'Where the hell was he?' he grumbled and his stomach rumbled, he looked around again, no sign of him. Right, he would duck in to the nearest café, grab something to eat and return to his vigil.

Jack approached the restaurant and saw Tosh meeting her friend. Jack stopped in his tracks. It was the man and he was giving her a massive hug. His eyes narrowed, so that was why he was late, meeting an old friend. 'Knew him by name and reputation, Tosh certainly had some explaining to do,' he muttered to himself as he stalked off back in the Hub to wait for her.

twtwtwtwtwtwtw

His arms crossed Jack stood just inside the Hub door as Tosh returned looking flushed.

"Who is he?" Jack asked as Tosh passed and he followed.

"Who?" she said as she walked to her station and turned on her computer.

"The man in the suit?" he said as he stood next to her.

"The man in the what?" she queried not sure where this was going typing in her password.

"The man in the suit, the man you had lunch with today?" he repeated.

"An old friend. I told you he just returned to live around here and we were catching up," she told him.

"For two weeks I have been trying to speak to that man and today I see you're having lunch with him," he informed her.

"No," Tosh said as her faced dropped and she turned toward him as she became serious.

"No what!" Jack replied surprised at her vehement tone.

"No Jack, he is out of bounds," she told him sternly.

"Now I'm really interested," he told her as he saw the look of consternation on her face.

She looks at him in frustration, "Look he's a really sweet guy," she told him.

"And I don't deserve sweet?" he retorted.

"You don't want to hear my opinion Jack so don't test me," she told him starting directly.

"So who is he?" he asked again.

"He's out of bounds Jack, that is all you need to know," she advised raising her voice in concern.

"He knew my name and that I was head of Torchwood Three. Has there been a security breech here I need to know about?" he asked as he changed track.

" There's been no breach of security," she told him.

"So how come he knows so much about me then?" Jack asked. "I could make this an order," Jack warned her as he saw she was reluctant to reply.

She let out a deep sigh. "His name is Ianto Jones. He worked for Torchwood One in London," she told him.

"So why have I never been informed we had an ex-Torchwood operative here living in Cardiff?" he asked her angry now.

"He was not an operative, he was an archivist who never went above the third floor," she told him hesitantly not wanting to share what she knew, but by the look on his face Jack was not going to give up. It the past two weeks were an indication, she needed to tell him something to get him to leave Ianto alone. He had enough heartache in his recent past and the last thing he needed was continued harassment from Jack just as he was getting his life back on track.

"Well?" he demanded as he saw her continued reluctance.

"He is one of the survivors from the battle of Canary Wharf. He's just returned after several months away, for a new start," she told him unwillingly as she let out a long sigh.

"So you met him at Torchwood One?" he questioned.

"No I knew his fiancée Lisa Hallet. I met her when were at university together. I travelled down a couple of times to London to visit, I met Ianto then," she added.

"Knew, so I gather things didn't work out then?" Jack commented.

"Look you need to know Ianto's been through a lot. He's a kind of a long term committed type of person," Tosh told him.

"So if he is so committed then how come he's not settled down with this Lisa person?," Jack countered.

"Jack, she also worked at Torchwood One. She was one of the casualties," she told him.

"Oh," Jack said looking contrite.

"Yes, that's right Jack. So we're agreed Ianto is out of bounds," she saw the stubborn look on Jack's face, but then saw him nod.

"Ok, I won't try and speak to him on the Plass," he replied after several moments of thought.

"Good you leave him alone," she warned.

Jack returned to his office and sat down as he watched Tosh return to her endless calculations. 'Book shop,' he said to himself as a small smile curled his lips.